Australian Professional Standards for Teachers

Professional knowledge

1. Know learners and how they learn

1.1 Physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of learners

Use teaching strategies based on knowledge of learners' physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics to improve their learning.

1.2 Understand how learners learn

Structure teaching programs using research and collegial advice about learning.

1.3 Learners with diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds

Design and implement teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of learners from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

1.4 Strategies for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners

Design and implement effective teaching strategies that are responsive to the local community and cultural setting, linguistic background and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners.

1.5 Differentiate teaching to meet the specific learning needs of learners across the full range of abilities

Develop teaching activities that incorporate differentiated strategies to meet the specific learning needs of learners across the full range of abilities.

1.6 Strategies to support full participation of learners with disability

Design and implement teaching activities that support the learning and participation of learners with disability and address relevant policy and legislative requirements.

2. Know the content and how to teach it

2.1 Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area(s)

Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area(s) to develop engaging teaching activities.

2.2 Content selection and organisation

Organise content into coherent, well-sequenced learning and teaching programs.

2.3 Curriculum, assessment and reporting

Design and implement learning and teaching programs using knowledge of curriculum, assessment and reporting requirements.

2.4 Understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians

Provide opportunities for learners to develop understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages.

2.5 Literacy and numeracy strategies

Apply knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies to support learners' literacy and numeracy achievement. 

2.6 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) 

Use effective teaching strategies to integrate ICT into learning and teaching programs to make selected content relevant and meaningful.

Professional practice

3. Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning

3.1 Establish challenging learning goals

Set explicit, challenging and achievable learning goals for all learners.

3.2 Plan, structure and sequence learning programs

Plan and implement well structured learning and teaching programs or sequences that engage learners and promote learning. 

3.3 Use teaching strategies

Select and use relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem solving and critical and creative thinking. 

3.4 Select and use resources

Select and/or create and use a range of resources, including ICT, to engage learners in their learning.

3.5 Use effective communication (with learners)

Use effective verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support understanding, participation, engagement and achievement of learners. 

3.6 Evaluate and improve teaching programs 

Evaluate personal teaching and learning programs using evidence, including feedback and assessment data from learners, to inform planning. 

3.7 Engage parents/carers in educative process

Plan for appropriate and contextually relevant opportunities for parents/carers to be involved in their children's learning. 

4. Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments 

4.1 Support participation of learners 

Establish and implement inclusive and positive interactions to engage and support all learners in learning activities. 

4.2 Manage learning and teaching activities

Establish and maintain orderly and workable routines to create an environment where time is spent on learning tasks. 

4.3 Manage challenging behaviour

Manage challenging behaviour by establishing and negotiating clear expectations with learners and address discipline issues promptly, fairly and respectfully.

4.4 Maintain safety of learners

Ensure the wellbeing and safety of learners within the learning environment by implementing curriculum and legislative requirements.

4.5 Use ICT safely, responsibly and ethically

Incorporate strategies to promote the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching.

5. Assess, provide feedback and report on learning

5.1 Assess learning

Develop, select and use informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative assessment strategies to assess learning. 

5.2 Provide feedback to learners about their learning 

Provide timely, effective and appropriate feedback to learners about their achievement relative to their learning goals. 

5.3 Make consistent and comparable judgements 

Understand and participate in assessment moderation activities to support consistent and comparable judgements of learning.

5.4 Interpret data from learners

Use assessment data from learners to analyse and evaluate understanding of content, identifying interventions and modifying teaching practice.  

5.5 Report on achievement of learners

Report clearly, accurately and respectfully to learners and parents/carers about achievement, making use of accurate and reliable records.

Professional engagement

6. Engage in professional learning

6.1 Identify and plan professional learning needs

Use the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and advice from colleagues to identify and plan professional learning needs.

6.2 Engage in professional learning and improve practice 

Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice, targeted to professional needs and priorities of the education setting or system. 

6.3 Engage with colleagues and improve practice 

Contribute to collegial discussions and apply constructive feedback from colleagues to improve professional knowledge and practice. 

6.4 Apply professional learning and improve learning (of learners)

Undertake professional learning programs designed to address identified needs of learners. 

7. Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community 

7.1 Meet professional ethics and responsibilities

Meet codes of ethics and conduct established by regulatory authorities, systems and education settings. 

7.2 Comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements

Understand the implications of and comply with relevant legislative, administrative and organisational and professional requirements, policies and processes.

7.3 Engage with parents/carers

Establish and maintain respectful collaborative relationships with parents/carers regarding their children's learning and wellbeing. 

7.4 Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities

Participate in professional and community networks and forums to broaden knowledge and improve practice.

The Victorian Institute of Teaching acknowledges the diversity of teaching contexts and uses inclusive language to describe the professional standards for teachers.